CHEVROLET BLAZER 2002 2.G Owners Manual

4-46 Dolly Towing (Two-Wheel Drive
Models Only)
Your vehicle should not be towed with all four wheels
on the ground. Your transmission has no provision for
internal lubrication while being towed. To properly tow
your vehicle, it should be placed on a platform trailer
with all four wheels off the ground. Towing with all
four wheels on the ground should be avoided.In rare cases when it's unavoidable and your vehicle
must be towed with all four wheels on the ground, the
propeller shaft to axle yoke orientation should be
marked and the propeller shaft removed following the
applicable service manual removal/installation
procedure. See ªService and Owner Publicationsº in
the Index.
Dust or dirt can enter the back of the transmission
through the opening created by removing the propeller
shaft if proper protection is not provided. Also, check
the transmission fluid level before driving the vehicle.
Use the following steps to dolly tow your vehicle:

Put the front wheels on a dolly.

Put the vehicle in PARK (P).

Set the parking brake and then remove the key.

Disconnect the propshaft as described above.

Clamp the steering wheel in a straight
-ahead position
with a clamping device designed for towing.

Release the parking brake.

4-47
Be sure to use the proper towing equipment designed for
recreational vehicle towing. Follow the instructions for
the towing equipment.
CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's transfer
case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to
roll even if the transmission is in PARK (P), for
an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is in
gear, for a manual transmission. You or others
could be injured. Make sure the parking brake
is firmly set before you shift the transfer case
into NEUTRAL.
If your vehicle has four-wheel-drive it cannot be dolly
towed. A four
-wheel-drive vehicle must be towed
by flatbed.
Loading Your Vehicle
The Certification/Tire label is found on the driver's door
edge, above the door latch. The label shows the size of
your original tires and the inflation pressures needed to
obtain the gross weight capacity of your vehicle. This is
called the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The
GVWR includes the weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
fuel, cargo and trailer tongue weight, if pulling a trailer.

4-48
The Certification/Tire label also tells you the maximum
weights for the front and rear axles, called Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR). To find out the actual loads on
your front and rear axles, you need to go to a weigh
station and weigh your vehicle. Your dealer can help
you with this. Be sure to spread out your load equally on
both sides of the centerline.
Never exceed the GVWR for your vehicle, or the
GAWR for either the front or rear axle.
If you do have a heavy load, you should spread it out.
Similar appearing vehicles may have different GVWRs
and payloads. Please note your vehicle's Certification/Tire
label or consult your dealer for additional details.
CAUTION:
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the
GVWR, or either the maximum front or rear
GAWR. If you do, parts on your vehicle can
break, and it can change the way your vehicle
handles. These could cause you to lose control
and crash. Also, overloading can shorten the life
of your vehicle.
Using heavier suspension components to get added
durability might not change your weight ratings. Ask
your dealer to help you load your vehicle the right way.
NOTICE:
Your warranty does not cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.
If you put things inside your vehicle -- like suitcases,
tools, packages, or anything else
-- they will go as fast
as the vehicle goes. If you have to stop or turn quickly,
or if there is a crash, they'll keep going.

4-49
CAUTION:
Things you put inside your vehicle can strike
and injure people in a sudden stop or turn, or in
a crash.

Put things in the cargo area of your vehicle.
Try to spread the weight evenly.

Never stack heavier things, like suitcases,
inside the vehicle so that some of them are
above the tops of the seats.

Don't leave an unsecured child restraint in
your vehicle.

When you carry something inside the
vehicle, secure it whenever you can.

Don't leave a seat folded down unless you
need to.
There's also important loading information for off-road
driving in this manual. See ªLoading Your Vehicle for
Off
-Road Drivingº in the Index.
Payload
The payload capacity is shown on the Certification/Tire
label. This is the maximum load capacity that your
vehicle can carry. Be sure to include the weight of the
occupants as part of your load. If you added any
accessories or equipment after your vehicle left the
factory, remember to subtract the weight of these things
from the payload. Your dealer can help you with this.
Add-On Equipment
When you carry removable items, you may need to put a
limit on how many people you carry inside your vehicle.
Be sure to weigh your vehicle before you buy and install
the new equipment.
NOTICE:
Your warranty doesn't cover parts or
components that fail because of overloading.

4-50
Towing a Trailer
CAUTION:
If you don't use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
-- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps in this section. Ask your dealer for advice
and information about towing a trailer with
your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by
your warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your dealer for
NOTICE: (Continued)
NOTICE: (Continued)
important information about towing a trailer
with your vehicle. Additional rear axle
maintenance is required for a vehicle used to tow
a trailer. See ªScheduled Maintenance Servicesº
in the Index.
To identify what the vehicle trailering capacity is for
your vehicle, you should read the information in
ªWeight of the Trailerº that appears later in this section.
If yours was built with trailering options, as many are,
it's ready for heavier trailers. But trailering is different
than just driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means
changes in handling, durability and fuel economy.
Successful, safe trailering takes correct equipment, and
it has to be used properly.
That's the reason for this part. In it are many
time
-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.

4-51 If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:

There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you'll be driving. A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.

Consider using a sway control if your trailer will
weigh 3,500 lbs. (1 589 kg) or less. You should
always use a sway control if your trailer will weigh
more than 3,500 lbs. (1 589 kg). You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.

Don't tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.

Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don't drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and
don't make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
If you have an automatic transmission, you can use
THIRD (3) (or, as you need to, a lower gear) when
towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle in
THIRD (3) when towing a trailer will minimize heat
buildup and extend the life of your transmission.
Tow in DRIVE (D). You may want to shift the
transmission to THIRD (3) or, if necessary, a lower
gear selection if the transmission shifts too often
(e.g., under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions). If
you have a manual transmission and you are towing
a trailer, it's better not to use the highest gear.
See ªTow/Haul Modeº in the Index.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:

the weight of the trailer,

the weight of the trailer tongue

and the weight on your vehicle's tires.

4-52
Tow/Haul Mode (V6 Engine, Automatic
Transmission Equipped Models) (If Equipped)
The tow/haul mode is a feature that assists when pulling
a heavy trailer. The purpose of the tow/haul mode is:

Reduce the frequency of shifts when pulling a
heavy trailer,

provide the same shift feel when pulling a heavy
trailer as when the vehicle is unloaded, and

reduce the need to change throttle position when
pulling a heavy trailer.
This feature is turned on or off by pressing a button
on the floor console or the shift knob. When the feature
is on, a light located on the instrument panel cluster
will illuminate to indicate that the tow/haul mode has
been selected.
See ªTow/Haul Mode Lightº in the Index. The tow/haul
mode is automatically turned off each time the vehicle
is started.The tow/haul mode is most effective when the vehicle
and trailer combined weight is at least 75% of the Gross
Combination Weight Rating (GCWR).
The tow/haul mode for hauling a heavy trailer is most
useful under the following conditions:

When driving through hilly terrain at speeds below
55 mph (88 km/h),

when driving in low speed or stop and go traffic
below 55 mph (88 km/h), and

when driving in parking lots.
Operating in the tow/haul mode when not pulling a
heavy trailer will not cause damage to the vehicle, but
you may experience reduced fuel economy and
undesirable performance from the engine and
transmission. The tow/haul mode should be used only
when pulling a heavy trailer.

4-53 Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how
much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any special equipment that you
have on your vehicle.
The following chart shows how much your trailer can weigh, based upon your vehicle model and options.
Vehicle Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Wt. *GCWR
Tw o
-Wheel Drive, Two Door Auto. Trans. . . . . 3.42 5,700 lbs. (2 587 kg) 9,500 lbs. (4 313 kg)
Tw o
-Wheel Drive, Two Door Xtreme Blazer
Auto Trans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.42 2,000 lbs. (907 kg) 6,500 lbs. (2 951 kg)
Tw o
-Wheel Drive, Two Door Manual Trans. . . 3.42 4,200 lbs. (1 906 kg) 8,000 lbs. (3 632 kg)
Tw o
-Wheel Drive, Two-Door Xtreme Blazer
Manual Trans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.42 2,000 lbs. (908 kg) 6,500 lbs. (2 951 kg)
Tw o
-Wheel Drive, Four Door Auto. Trans. . . . . 3.42 5,500 lbs. (2 497 kg) 9,500 lbs. (4 313 kg)
Four
-Wheel Drive, Two Door Auto. Trans. . . . . 3.42
3.735,400 lbs. (2 451 kg)
5,400 lbs. (2 451 kg)9,500 lbs. (4 313 kg)
9,500 lbs. (4 313 kg)

4-54
Vehicle Axle Ratio Max. Trailer Wt. *GCWR
Four
-Wheel Drive, Two Door Manual Trans. . . 3.42 3,900 lbs. (1 770 kg) 8,000 lbs. (3 632 kg)
ZR2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.73 4,600 lbs. (2 087 kg) 9,000 lbs. (4 086 kg)
Auto. Trans., Manual Trans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.73 4,100 lbs. (1 860 kg) 8,000 lbs. (3 632 kg)
Four
-Wheel Drive, Four Door Auto. Trans. . . . . 3.42
3.735,100 lbs. (2 313 kg)
5,100 lbs. (2 313 kg)9,500 lbs. (4 313 kg)
9,500 lbs. (4 313 kg)
Four
-Wheel Drive, Four Door Manual Trans. . . 3.42 3,600 lbs. (1 633 kg) 8,000 lbs. (3 632 kg)
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming the
driver and one passenger are in the tow vehicle and it
has all the required trailering equipment. The weight of
additional optional equipment, passengers and cargo in
the tow vehicle must be subtracted from the maximum
trailer weight. The weight of the trailer tongue also
affects the maximum trailer weight. See ªWeight of the
Trailer Tongueº later in this section.* The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the
total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle
and trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment
and conversions. The GCWR for your vehicle should
not be exceeded.

4-55
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at the address listed in your
Warranty and Owner Assistance Information Booklet.
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163
-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total or gross
weight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo you may carry in it, and the people who will be
riding in the vehicle. And if you will tow a trailer, you
must add the tongue load to the GVW because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See ªLoading
Your Vehicleº in the Index for more information about
your vehicle's maximum load capacity.
If you're using a weight-carrying or a
weight
-distributing hitch, the trailer tongue weight (A)
should be 10 percent to 15 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (B). Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for your vehicle.
After you've loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren't, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.